Biodiversity

Biodiversity, or biological diversity, is used to describe the immense variety and richness of life on Earth. The term itself is of relatively recent origin: it was coined during the National Forum on BioDiversity in 1986 under the auspices of the National Academy of Sciences and the Smithsonian Institution. A follow-up volume entitled ?Biodiversity,? edited by Harvard biologist E.O. Wilson, further entrenched the word in the scientific lingo. The popular use of the term (and the Forum that spawned it) grew out of a concern that efforts were needed to conserve, not just particularly charismatic animals, but the diversity of life around the world as the human population grew, extinction rates climbed, and scientists discovered both economic and ecological benefits to greater diversity.

A number of definitions for biodiversity exist; the most simple refering to the combination of all life on Earth. A more nuanced definition emphasizes the vast richness and interconnectedness of species in a dynamic world. This richness not only encompasses the variety of different species in an area, but the genetic variety within a single species, as well as the differences of habitats and ecosystems around the world. The definition may also include the wealth of ecosystem processes, such as pollination, which occur as a result of species interaction. It is often in these ecosystem processes that humans find the value of biodiversity.

The most fundamental level of biodiversity is genetic diversity; as an individual's genes define their unique traits. Genes are what give each zebra a different pattern of stripes and determine the shape of a tortoise's shell. Genetic diversity is integral to biodiversity because a variety of traits enables species to survive in various habitats or under different conditions. The many varieties of gulls are an example of a species with high genetic diversity; they live in a wide variety of habitats, from oceans to garbage dumps, and are fairly resistant to disease. Conversely, when a population has shrunk to a small number of individuals and then has recovered, as in the case of the American bison, the species will often have low genetic diversity which may make them prone to disease or disaster if too few individuals are immune or able to adapt.

Species diversity refers to the number of individual organisms in a population and their distribution over an area at a particular time. The distribution of species in an ecosystem gives us a notion of how species are interconnected. Think of the prairie dog: it is impossible to know all the species which benefit directly and indirectly from the tunnels it digs. It also gives us a sense of how ecosystem services are performed. A high concentration of decomposers enriching the soil in one area, for example, might explain a high density of plants growing in its fertile soil. If these decomposers die out or move, it is likely that fewer plants would grow there in the future.

Ecosystem diversity is the largest scale on which humans generally consider biodiversity. An ecosystem is commonly thought of as a forest, pond, or cave; but, it can be something as small as a bromeliad or as large as the entire Earth. Ecosystem biodiversity refers to the similarities and differences between all ecosystems, from the icy artic tundra to the warm equatorial mangroves. Each ecosystem is not equally diverse; for example, the tundra is less diverse than a tropical rainforest. These differences between ecosystems has a lot to do with the climate. Ecosystems with warm moist climates are typically easier for plants to grow in, so there is more food for animals; therefore these areas tend to be more diverse than cooler climates. However, climate does not fully explain ecosystem diversity; geological history and human habitation must also be considered. Using these as indicators, areas with high biodiversity can be identifies and projects to protect the existing biodiversity can be undertaken.

As of 2008, scientists have documented approximately 1.7 million species, but that number is thought to be only a small fraction of the total number of species that exists or has existed on Earth. The potential number of unknown species illustrates how minimal our understanding of biodiversity truly is: species interact in ways in which scientists have only just begun to understand. Humans are still teasing out how ecosystem diversity, species diversity, and genetic diversity interact; what large changes in ecosystems mean to the smallest microbe; and how one species' genetic adaptation could alter the course of another species' survival.

Updated by Skyler Treat & Nicole Barone Callahan

Biodiversity Fact Sheet This two-page summary by the Ecological Society of America illustrates the importance of biodiversity and how scientists are studying it.

Convention on Biological Diversity: Global Biodiversity Outlook 2The United Nations Environment Programme published this updated report in March 2006. The report examines the status of biodiversity on both global and regional levels, the trends towards sustainable management, and the implementation of the goals of the Convention. Included are maps, case studies, and biodiversity information by country.

Issues in Biodiversity The American Institute of Biological Sciences offers scientific interviews and essays on various topics in biodiversity for the public. A notable essay includes a transcript of a 2002 interview with entomologist E.O. Wilson discussing the origins of biodiversity.

Biodiversity and Conservation Developed by Dr. Peter J. Bryant of the University of California, Irvine, this online textbook describes the issues surrounding preserving biological diversity on Earth, reasons for being concerned about the depletion and extinction of organisms, and what can be done to preserve some of what is left.

The Concept of BiodiversityThe Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy's entry on biodiversity details the philosophical meaning of biodiversity and goes on to detail its moral aspects and arguments.

Genetic DiversityThis more advanced article explains in detail the technical aspects of genetic variance. The article includes a glossary and source list of related academic articles.

BiodiversityThis book, edited by E.O. Wilson, is a collection of papers presented at the 1986 National Forum on Biodiversity.

DATA & MAPS

National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII) The NBII is a collaborative effort, led by the U.S. Geological Survey, to build a common site for accessing biological data and information. The site links to information about "hot topics," educational resources, databases, and numerous other sources of information about biodiversity issues.

Animal Diversity Web The University of Michigan's Museum of Zoology presents this site on individual species with information on their distribution, natural history, conservation efforts, and pictures and sounds (when available). Teaching materials are also available for all levels.

LAWS & TREATIES

Convention on Biological DiversityInternational conservation efforts led to this Convention established at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (the Rio "Earth Summit").

Flora and Fauna ? Biodiversity Tufts University's Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy provides a comprehensive list of international treaties and conventions relating to biodiversity.

FOR THE CLASSROOM

Biodiversity CountsThe American Museum of Natural History hosts this middle school curriculum developed by the National Center for Science Literacy, Education, and Technology. It is a standards-based curriculum with teacher's guide and instructions for field studies; also included are links to local resources and experts. [Grades 6-8]

Guide to Teaching BiodiversityThe Kentucky Environmental Education Council developed this middle school curriculum that "teaches what we mean by biodiversity and why it is important." Included is information on genetic diversity, species diversity, and ecosystem diversity.

Biodiversity and Conservation: The Web of LifeTravel around the world in the footsteps of scientists or get the basics on biodiversity on this website from Chicago's Field Museum. Interactive teaching resources such as ?Project E.R.? and ?This Old Habitat? introduce basic ecological concepts, while the lessons in ?Cocoa Connections? offer a unique way to explore the relationship between conservation and culture.

Biofilms and BiodiversityMaryland Sea Grant offers this online marine education module using biofilm communities from Chesapeake Bay to demonstrate how water quality, depth, and biodiversity are linked. A companion lesson on classification of organisms called "What is the Key to Classification?? can also be downloaded at the site. [Grades 9-12]

Exploring Environmental Issues: BiodiversityIn this curriculum developed by Project Learning Tree, in partnership with the World Wildlife Federation, students learn that decisions about growth and development, energy use and water quality, even about health, all rest to some extent on perspectives about biodiversity. [Grades 6-12]